Monday, September 20, 2010

Panthers coach John Fox just startled the media corps in Charlotte by announcing that Jimmy Clausen would start the home game against Cincinnati Sunday.

Fox generally holds his cards very close to the vest on all personnel decisions, particularly at quarterback. He usually doesn't announce the QB starter until late in the week to force the other team to prepare for both QBs. For instance, he didn't announce Matt Moore as last week's starter until Thursday (following Moore's concussion).

Fox is trying something new this week, though. Saying the Panthers needed a "spark" and simply weren't getting it done with the passing game, he told the team and then the media Monday that the rookie QB from Notre Dame would start against the Bengals.

I like the move -- and the way Fox will give the team almost a full week to get used to it. No doubt they are changing horses in midstream here (at least temporarily), but that stream was leading over a cliff anyway. At 0-2, the Panthers have sustained consecutive 13-point losses and look like a team headed toward a 4-12 season in the first two weeks.

Moore, with six turnovers in two games, needs to sit. Fox kept saying this wasn't an "indictment" of Moore, that all of the offense was at fault, but when you lose your job, that's not exactly a hearty well-done, either.

I think Moore has lost confidence -- much like Jake Delhomme did here in 2009 and David Carr once did. Clausen still has his confidence, and he deserves this shot.

At what point do we place blame on the OC Jeff Davidson for the lame play calling and the QB coach- Rip Scherer for essing up the QB's heads? After all, Scherer messed up Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn so bad as well as Jake that they were all run out of town

So, you have horrible O-line play no receivers, hell even Smitty dropped a ball in his hands. crappy playcalling (what happened to Stewart?). And lets bench Moore!

The answer isn't another version of Capt Checkdown like Brady Quinn or Matt Leinert. Clausen moved the ball on the his first drive because the Bucs backed off and stopped blitzing, plus the Panthers started using multiple receivers, unlike having Moore go playaction on 3rd and long with two receivers downfield. Plus Talib left for a play allowing Smith to make a key catch.

I fault the lack of creativity in play calling of the OC as well. I'm always impressed with Barnidge's ability to get open and catch the ball. Imagine a 2 TE set with King and Rosario, DW or Goodson in the backfield and Barnidge split out as a WR opposite Smith. I think Barnidge is better as a WR than anyone else on the roster outside of Smith.

Who cares if you drafted him as TE? Use his strengths to your advantage...instead we are trying to make a small QB into another small WR...

I remember the last time Fox made a surprise quarterback change; half time of the Jacksonville game when things looked pretty hopeless and no one gave them a chance. Some unknown back up from the Saints and NFL Europe. I think Fox followed his gut then when his team needed a sparkand I think he is following it now. So much of sports boils down to "do you think you can win." (I know it is a cliche for Pee Wee league but it applies at all levels.) The team or player who has that confidence might not always win but I think they do most of the time. Jake had it when he came in against J'ville. Maybe Fox sees the same thing in Clausen. We shall see.

I think this is also a bit about Fox covering his own backside here. He knows he is auditioning for his next HC job and he see's where this season is going. He probably figures other teams will give him a lot more slack for a horrible season if he is breaking in a rookie QB instead of going down in flames with his appointed QB of the future.

He didnt lose confidence. He's doing what Davidson wants him to do. All Clausen will do is throw short. It'll look nice for a lil bit then soon it'll be useless. Then Fox will refuse to put in Moore. The season is over... yes I said OVER after 2 games. This team isn't good enough to beat the teams that's coming up. Not enough experience and talent. And thats Jerry fault for letting go some many valuable pieces. Its wrong to take a very inexperienced young QB and make him the leader of the team. No vet QB behind either Jimmy or Matt. Look around the league, the same thing is happening